Automatic soldering iron



1951 G. L. FLANAGAN AUTOMATIC SOLDERING IRON Filed Jan. 9, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l wmw George L. Flanagan Nov. 27, 1951 e. L. FLANAGAN 2,576,393

AUTOMATIC SOLDERING IRON Filed Jan. 9, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fig. 5.

f George L Flanagan B, flmaaih wi away 3 M1 lnventar Patented Nov. 27, 1951 2,576,393 AUTOMATIC SOLDERING IRON George L. Flanagan, Benton City, Wash.- Application January 9, 1950, Serial No. 137,548

3 Claims.

This invention relates to novel improvements in soldering irons.

in order to seal the passage when the soldering iron is not being employed as, at the end of a seam.

' Ancillary objects and features will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the diescription of the illustrated forms of the inventon. I r

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the invention;

Figure 6 is a transverse view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 and in the direction of the arrows, and;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1-! of Figure 5.

The instant invention deals with soldering irons and has for its general purpose, the improvement in the art of soldering by means of a structure which renders soldering easier and more accurate.

I have illustrated two forms of my invention as preferable ones. However, many other adaptations of the instant concept may be employed.

Referring first to Figures 1-4 a shank I0 is illustrated as being made of tubular stock and has an externally threaded end 12. A cap I4 is threadedly disposed on thethreaded end portion l2 and has a central passage [6 therein accommodating the plunger rod l8.

An insulating material sleeve 20 is disposed on the outside surface of the sleeve or shank l0 and forms a seat for the handle 22, which is preferably made of wood.

A cup 24, which in the illustrated instance has a frustum of a cone shaped end portion 26 thereon, is threaded to the lower threaded end portion of the shank ID. A solder chamber 28 is defined by the cup and'a portion of the shank land is adapted to maintain a supply of solder.

A tip 30 having a conical end portion is disposed in the tapered passage 32 and forms a valve therefor. This tip has a stud 34 projected therefrom in order to form a guide for the spring 36.

The spring 36 reacts on the tip constantly pressing it in the passage closing condition and also on the filament holder 38, which is disposed in the shank ID. The filament holder has an electrical filament therein which is fed by means of vthe wires 41 and 42 which pass through suitable openings in the handle assembly.

A tube 44 preferably copper, is disposed in concentric relationship with the shank l0 and also with the heating element. This tube also forms a portion of the solder chamber 28 and has a plunger 46 slidable therein. This plunger has said shank l8 fixed thereto. There is a collar 48 intermediate the ends of the rod IS in order to form a seat for the spring 50 which reacts on the cap I l. The spring 50 constantly presses the plunger downwardly in order to placethe solder under pressure in the solder chamber. .In order to adjust the spring, it is necessary only to rotate the cap M on its threads.

In operation, the solder in the chamber 28 is heated and the tip 30 is pressed inwardly through the solder passage to allow solder to flow therethrough for application on the work.

If it is desired, the plunger feature may be removed from this form of the invention or the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 and the device operated as a soldering iron in the absence thereof.

In Figure 5 there is a shank 66 having threads 62 at one end and threads 64 at the other end. A cap 66, similar to the cap I4 is disposed on the threads 64 and has a central passage 68 formed therein in order to form a guideway for the rod 10. This rod is disposed in the tube 12 and has a plunger 14 slidable therein. The collar 16 forming a seat for the spring 18 is identical in structure and function to the collar 48. The spring 18 serves the same function as the sprin 50.

A heating element shield is disposed on the heating element 82, which is located in the shank 60. The cup 84 which is threaded on the threads 62 has a solder passage or passageway 86 passing through an opening at the end thereof in order to seat the valve and tip 88 combination.

This tip has a central passage 89 or a plurality of off centered passages therein with transverse passages 90 communicating therewith in order to conduct solder laterally of the tip for alternate passage through the passageway 86.

The lower end of the tube 12 is threaded in the tip 88 and has its bore communicatin with the passage 89. Accordingly, solder placed under pressure by the plunger 14 is pressed outwardly through the passageway.

The heating element 80 is fed by means of the wires 94 and 96 which through suitable openings in tiiegiiairdiei assembly whichineiudes the handle member'BB and insulatin'g'sleeve' 100. apertured plate 102 is disposed in the shank '60 and forms a seat for the spring I04. This spring reacts on the collar I06- whichis fixed on the outside surface of the tube 12 whereby the tube is pressed outwardly of the shank there hy pressing the tip 88 intoisealing relationship with the passage 86 at al1times,until'the "tip is urged inwardly by pressing againstthe work or workpiece. I A

, l iaving described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

ther in with said tiQQ sQQSB-d nalvins la i ship therewithif a ,spring reacting on said shank andssaidgtip urging said tip to the passage clos-. ing condition, a heating element'jdisposed inconc'entric relationship withsaidi tube and disposed within said shank in' order, to electrically heat saidschamber, and a 1 spring operated plunger 'op'erablefin said tubeflpressingtoward said tip iniorder to c'om'presssolder towards said solder 'passage,said ti'p'ibeing a hollowshell and having laterally disposed openings through. the wall "thereotcominunicating the interior of the tip with the' solder: passageway in said cup, the interior of said tip. communicating with the here {passage in valvi'z ig relationship therewith, a tube disposed in saidshanlian'dattached to said tip,

a heating element arranged between said tube "and the interior surface of said shank, a spring, rneans disposed on said tube for seating said spring, means fixed to said shank for seating the opposite end of said spring, said spring embracing said tube and constantly urging said tip into passagecl osihg'position, a solder feed plun er The following references are having ahead thereon and disposed in said tube, a spring urging said plunger towards said tip,

and a closure at vthe encl of said shank opposite from said cup and constituting a. seat for said last mentioned spring. v a

, GEORGE L. FLANAGAN.,.

REFERENCES CITED p of record "in the file of this patent: e

UNITED STATES PATENIJS 

